Horse accident leads for amputation © 2025

Horse accident leads for amputation

Head injuries are the most common reason for admission to hospital or death among riders. Sobering statistics reveal the high percentage of equine-related accidents resulting in traumatic brain injury, and helmets have been associated with reducing the risk of traumatic brain injury by as much as 50 percent. Yet, many riders still do not wear a helmet.

Falling off a horse

When working with potentially dangerous animals, it is important to take proper safety precautions.

These serious injuries like amputation can occur as a result of an accident, for example, falling off a horse. Where the accident was caused by an avoidable mistake. An amputation injury is and how significant the impact will be on many areas of your life.

When you saddle up, you’re most likely not thinking about the risks involved with riding. You are getting in tune with your horse and focusing on commands. And that is exactly why it’s important to have safety measures memorized in the event that an accident occurs. This allows you to prevent further injury, avoid panicking, and allow you to just enjoy the experience while on your horse.

Assess yourself:

Without moving from the location where you fell, assess yourself for any signs of injury. You could easily make an injury worse by attempting to move prematurely, so do your best to stay where you are. Check for bleeding, broken bones or a head/neck injury.

Most importantly, assess yourself for signs of shock. If you experience shivering, sweating, dizziness, shallow breathing, weakness or clammy skin, your body could be in a state of shock. If this happens, keep your helmet on and stay where you are.

During your assessment, if you find any signs of shock or injury, you should call for help using a local emergency number.

Move slowly:

If you do an assessment and determine you are not in any serious pain and have not experienced a major injury, you will want to slowly get back up. The key is moving slowly and taking your time. Feel your limbs for any signs of a sprain or break. Notice any scrapes, bruises or bleeding. If you feel ok, then you may go and retrieve your horse.

Get back in tune with your horse:

After retrieving your horse, lead it on the ground. Pay attention to its breathing and do your best to stay relaxed and in rhythm with your horse. Do a few laps and engage with your horse, and then consider climbing back in the saddle. Try to finish your ride and end on a positive note. While riding, try to think about what you did wrong or what led to the fall, so you can make corrections for the future.

How to fall off a horse safely

While there is obviously no way to guarantee you will fall without getting injured, there are things you can do to help manage the impact of a fall when horseback riding.

Below are a few ways to prevent falls and ensure you’re prepared for when an unscheduled dismount happens:

Always choose a horse that matches your skill level.
Maintain proper position in the saddle.
Check that your girth or cinch are tightened, and the saddle won’t turn on impact.
Wear a helmet, gloves, and boots with a 1” heel.
Learn and master an emergency dismount.
Learn how to do an emergency stop on your horse.

If you can tell you are going to fall off your horse, attempt to quickly kick your feet free from the stirrups. The goal is to have a slow, graceful fall that keeps your body clear of your horse’s stride. Keep your body tucked close to you and wait for your horse to move out of the way before attempting to change position.

The best thing you can do is to learn from your mistakes and make improvements in the future to prevent falls and avoid injuries at all costs.

Common accidents, serious injuries

Collarbone fractured:

Clavicles may occur when riders fall from a horse.

Arms

Falling riders often try to break the fall with their outstretched arms. Sprains and fractures may occur.

Head

Concussions and skull fractures may occur when a rider is thrown from a horse or falls while jumping or hurdling in an equestrian event. A kick to the head while grooming may also cause serious injury. Helmets may provide some protection.

Neck

When a rider is thrown over the head of the horse, serious neck injuries may result. About 50 percent of riders also sustain head injuries when this happens.

Spine

When a rider falls or is thrown from a horse and lands on their feet or buttocks, serious spine injuries may occur. Fractures of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae are most common.

Overuse injuries

Riding too much may cause sprains, strains, and soreness in the shoulders, lower back and legs. Poor riding technique or inadequate conditioning may also contribute to overuse injuries.